YORK, S.C. — Nicholas Firth enlisted in the Army after watching the September 11 attacks unfold, driven by a desire to serve and protect his country. Nearly two decades later, a nonprofit organization is giving back to him in kind, presenting the York County veteran with a specially adapted, mortgage-free home designed around his needs.
Homes For Our Troops recently donated the custom-built residence on McFarland Road in York to Firth, an Army sergeant who was severely wounded during his first combat deployment in Iraq.
From Balad to York County
On June 9, 2006, Firth was serving as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, supporting Battery B, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment near Balad, Iraq, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. The blast left him with severe damage to his right leg and a traumatic brain injury.
After years of attempts to save the limb, Firth made the difficult decision to have his right leg amputated below the knee.
His current home, he has said, feels like an obstacle course. The new McFarland Road property aims to change that.
Built Around Independence
Completed in early 2026, the home includes more than 40 accessibility modifications: wider doorways, roll-under counters, pull-down shelving, and a roll-in shower that allow Firth to move through his daily routine from his wheelchair without assistance.
Local community volunteers helped with finishing touches on the project, reflecting the kind of grassroots support that has become a hallmark of Homes For Our Troops builds across the country.
Firth now lives in South Carolina to be close to family. He shares his days with his wife, Anna, and Thor, his service dog.
A Space to Create
Beyond the practical benefits, the new home opens a door to something personal for Firth: music. He has described performing and recording as the pursuit that makes him feel most alive.
“This gift will allow me to write, practice, and record my music, which is my dream,” Firth said. “There is nowhere I feel more alive than on stage, and a safe space where I can be creative will help me make that dream a reality.”
He expressed deep gratitude toward the donors and supporters who made the home possible.
“You provide security and peace of mind, two things that get smashed to pieces when you’re injured,” he said. “There are no words to adequately convey my gratitude.”
About Homes For Our Troops
Homes For Our Troops is a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The organization works with communities across the country to support veterans in reclaiming their independence.
Veterans in York County seeking housing assistance may also contact Habitat for Humanity of York County, which offers homeownership programs and critical home repair services for qualifying veterans.
Source: Homes For Our Troops
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